Kelly’s review of Seeing is Believing by Erin McCarthy

TITLE: Seeing is Believing
CHARACTERS: Piper & Brady
AUTHOR: Erin McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: March 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cuttersville, Ohio is full of ghosts, and they all want Piper Tucker’s help.
One guy in town just wants Piper.

Ever since Piper Tucker was young she wanted to be like everyone else, but her uncanny ability to see ghosts always put her on the other side of normal. And the apparitions are showing up now more than ever, desperately seeking help. But what can she possibly do for them? They’ve already been dead for years. Besides, she has a personal concern of her own right now. A real flesh and blood concern—named Brady.

He’s Piper’s childhood crush, and no sooner is he back in town than sparks start giving off heat. For Brady, it’s hard not to notice the sexy young woman Piper’s become, or forget the special gift she had as a girl. And right now it could come in handy, because a long-forgotten murder has been keeping a restless spirit from finding peace. All Piper and Brady have to do is solve the crime to put the specter to rest. But the passion brewing between them is just as restless, and could prove twice as dangerous

REVIEW:
This was a fun book. Although at first I could not figure out why the seeing of ghosts was so important. But in the end I finally learned. Seeing is Believing is kinda a second chance at first love story. Piper has been in love with Brady since she was a little girl. But Brady never really saw her as that. But after so much time apart and Brady’s return to town that all changes.

Only problem. No one thinks Brady is good enough for Piper. But when a mystery surrounding a murder many years ago through Piper and Brady together they both will do some growing up and learn that sometimes it is best not to listen to anyone except your own heart.

I really did enjoy this book even if I am having a hard time writing this review.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Interview & Giveaway with Laura Lee Nutt

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Laura Lee Nutt to the blog for her first visit.  

Laura, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Sure, but first, let me say thank you, Kelly, for having me today. I really appreciate the opportunity to be here. Now, let me give a few interesting details you won’t find in my bio. I am 4 feet 8 inches tall and love being short except for the need to hem pants and skirts. I have two rambunctious boys and am about to try for a third or, if I’m lucky, a little girl to spoil with pretty things. I was born under a crescent moon but not so secretly wish it had been a full moon. It seems a full moon would have been more romantic and haunting. And finally, the evening my husband first told me he loved me and we shared our first kiss, the sun was setting beside us, further feeding my affection for special moments in life that hold true romance.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I have always wanted to write stories, but no, it was not always my goal to be an author. For several years, I thought of other occupations such as paleontology or chiropractic, seeing them at the time as both fascinating and more financially practical. However, deep down, I think I always wanted to write. Eventually, I accepted the fact rather than fighting it. I’m much happier I went into storytelling.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

My characters, at least most of them, literally develop minds of their own. If they are not leading the story off in one unexpected direction or another, I’m not listening to them hard enough. Sometimes, my husband will inform me of something a character feels, thinks, desires, or is planning that I consciously had not realized. A few years ago, he flat out told me that a villain, Emile Benderique, in one of my books was lying to me about his motivations because he was uncomfortable with anyone knowing his true desires. I started to argue, then stopped and gaped because my husband was absolutely correct. This may sound a bit schizophrenic, but rather, I think it’s the mark of characters well and truly developed.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Red and the Wolf is about Little Red Riding Hood grown up and how she overcomes the terrors the childhood “wolf” attack inflicted on her. She must accept herself, including the curse left on her from the attack, and the love of the huntsman who rescued her long ago. But she has to manage all this before the local nix, a German-style freshwater merman, takes over her village and before a heroic hunter of all things monstrous and unnatural executes her and the huntsman. Only then can she truly gain her real happily ever after.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

In January of 2011, I was sick for about two weeks. To keep myself from going stir-crazy, I wrote the first draft of Red and the Wolf. I no longer recall what the initial idea that started the whole story was, but I’ve always loved fairy tales, which frequently influence my writing. This time, though, I did not want to just retell the story. Plus, it made no sense to me how a child of ten or twelve could undergo such horrors and not come out emotionally scarred. Thus, I sought to tell a story that had a touch more realism for all I included werewolves in this one. I was in the mood for romance and wanted the wonder of fairy tales and fantasy.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Right now, I’m working on the sequel to Red and the Wolf. Currently, it’s titled Gretel and Her Ghost. Like Red and the Wolf, I took a well-known fairy tale and extrapolated into the future, asking what would happen if there had not really been a happily ever after? How would these characters deal with the logical difficulties they faced from their childhood fairy tale encounters, and how might they find happiness in the end? In this case, Gretel is desperate to marry and have a normal life, but Hansel, who never truly recovered from nearly getting eaten by the witch, sabotages her every attempt. When a mysterious man comes to town to seek her aid in rescuing other children trapped in the candy house, she must make some of the hardest choices of her life, but ones that have the possibility to at last set her free.

I also recently finished a novel starring Karl Kaismann, one of the antagonists from Red and the Wolf. It’s a historical urban fantasy that I will soon start shopping around among editors and agents. In this novel, I drew upon the haunting legends of the Lorelei Rock on the Rhine River in Germany about a beautiful maiden deprived of her true love and a nixie, a sort of nymph-like creature, who causes ships to crash beneath the rock’s deadly foot. Karl naturally gets caught up in the legend and must save a town that despises him, choose between his heart’s desire and the lives of thousands, and come to terms with his destiny.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Peter S. Beagle. His book The Last Unicorn is my favorite of all time. Each time I reread it, it recaptures my heart with its beautiful language, fantasy, heroism, tragic love, and contrasts of light and dark. It encapsulates so much of what I love most in stories.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Beyond the obvious “write and keep writing,” there is no right way to write or get published. There are some ways that are less effective and some that are dangerous–check out Predators and Editors for some of those–but don’t let anyone tell you that you have to get into the business or write one specific way. Educate yourself about the industry and craft, and always keep learning. Be humble. Take chances. Be patient and persistent. Don’t let opportunities slip by. But above all, do your best and be true to yourself, whatever that is.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Tour Europe, and I don’t mean one of those two or three week tours. I mean I want to take at last three months, maybe a year, and really experience it. I want to visit all sorts of historical sites, soak in the culture and the countryside, and perhaps find a ghost or two as long as they’re not too frightening. I want to see where my ancestors came from, and there’s a castle in Scotland that used to belong to my clan, MacNaughton, that I’d like to see in person.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Oh, wow, that’s a big list. Let me name a few off the top of my head. Both my critique partners, Jessi Gage and Mae Clair, have books coming out this year that I’m looking forward to. I can’t wait to see how Jessi’s Road Rage has changed since those first initial idea talks we had, and I have not yet had the pleasure of reading Mae’s Twelfth Sun. Stina Leicht should have a new book soon, though I don’t know exactly when. I’ve been reading her The Fey and the Fallen series and enjoying it immensely. Peter S. Beagle’s stort story collection Sleight of Hand is also on my list as well as anything by Patricia Briggs or Jim Butcher. Amy Raby’s Bronze Age fantasy Assassin’s Gambit, which comes out in April will soon join that pile of to-reads. Cecilia Grant’s A Lady Awakened was absolutely superb, probably one of the best romances I’ve ever read, so I have high hopes for its sequel, A Gentleman Undone.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes. First, thank you so much for hosting me today, and thank you to all your readers who stopped by and stayed to learn a bit about me and my new release, Red and the Wolf. Second, everyone make sure to stop by my blog to get the full details of my Release Week Giveaway.

Learn more about Laura here: website  | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon Kindle | Barnes and Noble Nook |   I-Tunes |  Lyrical Store

They said Little Red Riding Hood lived happily ever after. They lied.

Six years after the attack at her grandmother’s cottage, Blanchette still wilts at the sound of a wolf’s howl. The scent of pine rising from the Black Forest surrounding her home is a constant reminder of the beast’s assault and the injury it left on her finger. After years spent hiding away, Blanchette’s world tilts when she wakes–naked and without memory of the previous night–in the forest, instead of behind the safety of her closed shutters.

Since rescuing Blanchette and her grandmother, huntsman Heinrich has befriended her family by day, and keeps watch as a powerful wolf over his territory by night. Sinister otherworldly creatures constantly threaten his domain and the human village he protects.

When the emperor sends a hunter to investigate the attack and slay any inhuman beings, Heinrich must tread carefully and protect not only himself, but his newly-discovered mate, who prowls the moonlit nights alongside him. He must also determine who is responsible for a string of murdered villagers, proving he can control his lupine nature and offer protection to the village, rather than danger.

CONTENT WARNING: Vengeful fae, dark magic, vicious murder, moral quandaries, explicit sex, and tragic honor.

Giveaway 

For Red and the Wolf’s release week, Laura is  hosting a giveaway.

There are several ways to earn chances to win one of two prizes, an e-copy of Red and the Wolf and an adorable Annette Funicello Collectable Bear Co. Little Red Riding Hood valued at $105.

You have from Monday, March 4th, 12 AM central time through Sunday, March 10th, 11:59 PM central time to get as many points as you can.

Each point equals an additional time your name gets entered in the drawing for these prizes. Laura will announce the winners on her blog Monday, March 11th.

To begin with, you will earn your first point for the drawing by commenting on today’s post.

For more ways to earn points see Laura’s blog. Good luck!

Kelly’s review of Mating Instinct by Katie Reus

TITLE: Mating Instinct
SERIES: Moon Shifter #3
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
Characters: Jayce Kazan & Kat Saburova
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/12/2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job

REVIEW:
Mating Instinct is Katie Reus’ third book in the Moon Shifter series. In Mating Instinct we get to see how Kat is adjusting to the events that happened to her in Primal Possession (bk 2, I would suggest reading this series in order).

They say change is good, but that doesn’t mean it is easy and nothing has been easy for Kat over the last year. She has walked away from the love of her life, was kidnapped, tortured and almost killed, then to save her life she has been turned. But even after all of this Kat has still come out on top. Maybe a little scared but she refuses to be anything but strong and more determined. The one thing Kat never planned was Jayce walking back into her life, demanding and on a mission to prove to her that she belongs to him and only him. Forever.

Jayce has tried in the past to protect Kat from his enemies, but he underestimated the humans of the world. Now Jayce had to live with the fact that he didn’t protect Kat when she need him most and it almost cost her, her life. Jayce vows to never let that happen again. Even when Kat puts herself in the crosshairs of her enemy.

I really did enjoy this book. There was two storylines happening at once so I was a little confused. Jayce seemed to be working on a case while trying to protecting Kat. But by the end of the book I understood what and where Katie was going with the dual storylines

I love Jayce & Kat. While Jayce tries to be this big-bad ass enforcer he does have a soft side and we see that with Kat and a new member of the pack. Kat is very brave after everything she has gone through. Stubborn yes, but very brave. Jayce and Kat are a great team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two.

I am super excited about the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Interview & Giveaway with Macy Beckett

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have a new favorite on our blog today.  Please welcome Macy Beckett to the blog.  We are chatting life, new author crushes and Sultry Springs Texas

BnK:  Hi Macy, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses.  We are very excited to have you on the blog today.

Macy:  Thanks for having me. I’m thrilled to be here.

BnK: I have to tell you I am totally in love with you and your Sultry Springs Series.  You are officially one of my favorite new authors for 2013.

Macy: Aw, shucks. I love you, too. J

BnK: Can you tell us a little about your Sultry Spring Series?

Macy: My tagline for this series is “Welcome to Sultry Springs, where first loves find second chances.” The fictional town is quirky and composed of uber-religious Southern Baptists, but they’re a fun-lovin’ bunch. Maybe it’s not the kind of place I’d want to live, but it’s a great town to visit.

BnK: The Sultry Springs Series is kinda your debut series into the world of romance right?  Do you have any other book published?

Macy: Book one, SULTRY WITH A TWIST, was my romance debut. It wasn’t the first book I wrote—that was ALIENATED, coming Feb. ’14 from Disney Hyperion—but it was the first to sell. Now that A SHOT OF SULTRY is available, I have two books out in the world. By the end of 2014, I’ll have seven!

BnK:  How did you come up with the idea for Sultry Springs?

Macy: It came to me in the shower, where I get most of my ideas. There’s just something about that warm water…

BnK: I have had the honor to read the first 2 books (Sultry with a Twist and A Shot of Sultry) which I totally loved!!  I also know that book 3, Surrender to Sultry, is coming in August 2013.  Do you have more books planned after Book 3? If not, what is next for you?

Macy: As of now, I’ve decided to conclude the Sultry Springs series with book 3. That may change, depending on the popularity of the series. I have a new set of romances coming in 2014 from Penguin, beginning with PREMARITAL HEX, and my ALIENATED series will also launch in 2014.

BnK: What would you do if you didn’t write?

Macy: Oh, Lordy. I’d probably be teaching junior high again. Don’t make me go back! 😉

BnK: Let’s open A Shot of Sultry to a random page and tell us what is happening.

Macy: Fun! Okay, I’m opening to page 194, where Trey is chatting with his best friend, Luke. (The hero from book 1). Luke confides that his wife has baby fever, and here’s Trey’s reaction: “Oh, snap.” Well, hell. That’d take the jingle out of any man’s junk. “Too bad there’s no Tylenol for that.”

BnK: What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone who is trying to get published?

Macy: Don’t rush it—publishing is an exercise in patience. Take your time and learn the craft.

BnK: Please tell us something you have on your bucket list?

Macy: I’d love to return to Europe. I graduated from high school in Munich, and I haven’t been back since. I miss it!

BnK:  Again, Macy it was a true pleasure to have you on the blog.  I hope that everyone loves you as much as I do.  I am super excited for book 3!  We do hope you will come back for Surrender to Sultry release.

Macy: Thanks again for having me, and I hope you enjoy book 3 as much as I loved writing it.

 

A SHOT OF SULTRY

BY MACY BECKETT

IN STORES MARCH 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble |  Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo | Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks

Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where home can be the perfect place for a fresh start.

For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a quick trip to her hometown might get her the footage she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can’t let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can’t handle filming a few rowdy Texans.

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and–much to her delight–usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him…

Praise for A Shot of Sultry:

[A] heartwarming, humorous story of second chances… sweet at its core. A strong continuation of this promising series. —Publishers Weekly

Beckett’s foray into love in a small town bounces from funny to endearing to poignant… —Booklist

A sweet yet steamy read… Readers will be left with smiles on their faces and more than ready for more of this quirky little town. —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Brimming with rapier wit and heartwarming moments… Packed with humor and heart. —Fresh Fiction

 

A little more about Macy: 

Macy Beckett left teaching to write hot and humorous romances. (No offense to her former students, but her new career is way more fun!) She lives just outside Cincinnati with her husband and three children, and is an active member of two Romance Writers of America chapters. Look for Sultry with a Twist, book one in the Sultry Springs series in stores now, and the third delightful book, Surrender to Sultry, in August 2013. For more information, please visit www.macybeckett.com, Like her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMacyBeckett, and follow her on Twitter, @MacyBeckett.

 

Macy and Sourcebooks are giving away a copy of Sultry with a Twist, book 1 in the Sultry Springs Series!

Please leave a comment or questions for Macy below, and a random winner will be chosen. US and Canada only, Good Luck!

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Interview with Lindy S. Hudis

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

First of all, thanks so much for having me today. Well, I am a wife and mother of 2, a boy who is   5, and a girl who is 10. My husband is a stuntman who crashes cars for a living, so I lead a pretty exciting life.  Right now  we are producing our first feature film, a dark drama called “SkateGod”. We own a film production company, so we are plugging away right now.  www.ImpactMotionPictures.com

Have you always wanted to be an author?

No, I actually wanted to be an actress. I studied drama at NYU, and came out to Los Angeles to try my luck. I wrote a book about that experience too…but you’ll just have to wait for that one to come out….Then I went into film distribution for a little  while, then had my babies, then got back into film production again. Writing has always been a fantasy of mine, so one day I just did it!

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I write when it’s quiet, seriously. I wait for the kids to be at school then I can write. Sometimes I have a bit of music, but very softly.  I have to be in the right  frame of mind to get writing, then I can’t stop.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing.

Staying focused, and not letting myself get tired.  Sometimes I just become a bit lost in the characters, or sometimes I can’t seem to focus at all – I guess  that is called writer’s block? I try to avoid that. Sometimes my brain just goes  into total sensory overload.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

“Crashers” is a work of crime fiction about a trio of young people who get caught up in the seedy world of auto insurance fraud by staging car accidents.

“Weekends” is a romance/suspense about a family who gathers at a beautiful beach resort for the weekend while a deranged killer is on the loose.

“The S & M Club” is an erotic short story anthology about a beautiful lesbian couple who experience the pleasures and forbidden world of bondage.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

For “Crashers” I was a victim of auto insurance fraud, so I came up with that idea. I learned that there are criminals out there who do this kind of thing for a living.  So I wrote about those people, who must be horrible desperate. “Weekends” and “The S&M Club” were actually just fantasies of mine, however I did work in a bondage club in Los Angeles for a short while.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

“Skate God” our feature film – it’s about a skateboarder who lives in a frightening, dystopian world who discovers he is a Greek God. That has been taking up most of my energy. I also have my next novel, “City of Toys” that I wrote about my life as a struggling actress in Hollywood.  Here is a link to an announcement in Daily Variety about our film “Skate God”. This is what has been keeping me busy.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118064993/

Who are some of your favorite authors?

There are so many – it is hard to choose.  For fiction I am a huge Stephen King fan, and for non-fiction  I would have to say Norman Vincent Peale – I am a big believer of the power of positive thinking.  It has gotten me through some pretty hard times.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

I love how graphic Stephen King is, yet he lets the reader use his or her imagination as well, he is just so prolific and creative. Although I don’t write horror, I do admire his style.  He can be very gritty and emotional, and I am very inspired by that.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

My “To Read” pile is so huge right now.  I just finished a wonderful book called “The Spring of Unexpected Circumstances” by Charles Shea LeMone.  I am a big fan of Charmaine Hammond and her delightful book “On Toby’s Terms.” Our company is planning on making that book into a film too.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Keep writing, don’t stop! Please visit my website at

www.CrashersBook.com or find me on Facebook  & Twitter. Thank you for having me….

 

Two beautiful women explore the sadistic and sensual world of bondage and discipline at an exclusive Los Angeles underground bondage club. Devon is a Mistress, Desiree is a novice Submissive. When Devon meets Desiree sparks fly between them as they embark into uncharted territory—each other. Devon makes Desiree an offer she can’t refuse—to travel around the world living out all of her sexual fantasies. But first things first. They have to get to know each other and find out their deepest desires. In this first installment—fantasy and reality blend as Devon and Desiree share their erotic exploits and naughty secrets.

 

Buy Links

 

Kelly and Kimberly both review A Shot Of Sultry by Macy Beckett

TITLE: A Shot Of Sultry
SERIES: Sultry Springs #2
CHARACTERS: Trey & Bobbi
AUTHOR: Macy Beckett
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where home can be the perfect place for a fresh start.

For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a quick trip to her hometown might get her the footage she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can’t let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can’t handle filming a few rowdy Texans.

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and–much to her delight–usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him…

BOTH KELLY AND KIMBERLY GAVE THIS BOOK 4.5 STARS – COMPARE THEIR REVIEWS HERE!

KELLY’S REVIEW:
Oh Man!!!! Book two in the Sultry Springs series is SO good. Trey, ahhhh the sweet Golden Boy finally meets his match in a feisty redhead from California. And to say their first meeting was… will eventful would be an understatement.
I loved the beginning, middle and end of this book so much. I read it in one sitting. I kept saying to myself “just one more chapter and I will put down the book and go to sleep” Needless to say at 2 am I finally did read the last chapter, wiped the tears from my eyes and went to bed very happy.
I love these character, love this series and love Macy!!! I so can’t wait to see what she has in store for our resident bad-boy sheriff, in book 3 Surrender to Sultry (Aug 1, 2013).

Again if you have not jumped into Sultry Springs Texas you really need too. You will be surprised at what can be found behind the doors of a small hick town.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
OK I think I have a new fictional love. Trey totally has me under his spell. I loved the first in this series “Sultry With A Twist” and even then I wanted the next story to be Trey’s but I had no idea how much I would adore this character. There is just something sexy about this unfortunately fictional man.

I enjoyed Bobbi too. She has lived such a hard life and has so many issues of her own but Trey brings out the good in her so easily and while you feel sorry for her at some points she also captures your heart and you love her.

I could not put this book down. I never wanted to finish it and yet I couldn’t wait to see how it would end. While you can read this alone I wouldn’t suggested it. You must read the first one just because you will love it. I can’t wait for the next one “Surrender To Sultry” and what Beckett has in store for Colton!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

The Death, Doom & Detention Blog Tour

TITLE: Death, Doom & Detention
SERIES: Darklight #2
Characters: Lorelei, Jared, Brooklyn, Cameron & Glitch
AUTHOR: Darynda Jones
PUBLICATION DATE: March 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.

It went out with a bang.

Goodbye normal.

Hello dark and eerie.

While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late?

REVIEW BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF STARS:  4

REVIEW:
Being a teenager is hard enough. But factor in that you are possessed by an evil spirit, in love with the Angel of Death, and you are all that stands between the forces of good and evil. That would make anyone have a bad hair day.

Lor and crew continue their mission to stop an impending war between good and evil. But along the way we learn a little more about Lorerlei and how she became what she is today. We also learn that even the Angel of Death has weakness.

This was a really good book. I was honored to get a chance to read early. And I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Author Bio:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Darynda Jones Website  Facebook | Darynda’s World | Twitter

 

Want a chance to win a copy of Death, Doom & Detention?  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Good Luck!!!

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Kimberly’s review of Jade’s Gamble by Patricia Olney

TITLE: Jade’s Gamble
CHARACTERS: Jade & Trace
AUTHOR: Patricia Olney
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Single mother Jade O’Donnell is desperate. Embroiled in an ugly custody battle, Jade is convinced that being in a committed relationship will up her chances to keep her son. So when the wildly charismatic Trace Banyon walks into her lawyer’s office to inquire about a job, Jade’s willing to bet that he’s the perfect candidate to play the part of loving husband. She just never expects that Trace will steal her heart.

Temptation in the flesh, Trace insists that he will never be tied down in real life. He agrees to Jade’s scheme on one condition: It will mean nothing more than a business deal. But with Jade posing on his arm, Trace can’t help but feel genuine affection—and exhilarating passion. Now his bewitching make-believe wife has the stalwart bachelor considering the two words he has sworn will never pass his lips: “I do.”

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this short story and the characters of Jade and Trace. They have a connection right from the start of the story.

Because it is such a short story I felt some things were missing like there is not enough about the ex husband and I was saddened that we did not get Lucas’ reaction about the ending.

I think in general this story could have been more in-depth but that being said the story is good and is an enjoyable quick read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kissin’ the week of Feb 25th- March 2nd Goodbye

2.25.13

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Anne Calhoun

Kimberly’s review of Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy 

Kimberly’s review of Bungalow Nights by Christie Ridgway

2.26.13

Interview with Miranda Stowe

Want to win a Kindle Fire HD

Release Day Madness

Kelly’s review of Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian

Kimberly’s review of Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

2.27.13

Book Blitz: Highlander Mine by Kharisma Rhayne

Kimberly’s review of Making Him Sweat by Meg Maguire

Jennifer’s review of  Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

2.28.13

Thursday’s Thought

Interview & Giveaway with Katie Reus

Guest Blogger & Giveaway with  Jennifer Ryan

Kimberly’s review of Love & A Blue Eyed Cowboy by Sandra Chastain

Kimberly’s review of Release Me by J. Kenner

Spotlight Feature: Past Tense

Who is your Fictional Valentine? 

3.1.13

Blind Date Winner(s) 

BnK wants to know

Interview with Tara Sue Me

Guest Blogger A.M. Griffin

Kimberly’s review of Secret by L. Marie Adeline

3.2.13

SINsational Saturday Series

The Arcane Series by Jayne Ann Krentz

Spotlight feature of The Proposition by Jennifer Lyon

 

The Proposition by Jennifer Lyon Blog Tour

The Plus One Chronicles

A wicked proposition…

A sensual possession…

A dark obsession…

The Plus One Chronicles: Searing passion and fiery vengeance collide in three explosive books.

  

THE PROPOSITION

The Plus One Chronicles, Book 1

Available now

Amazon / BN / Kobo / Smashwords / iTunes

Rich, sexy and volatile, Sloane Michaels has a dark agenda that keeps his heart on ice. His extreme wealth gives him the control he craves and his skills as an ex UFC fighter the tools he’ll need to extract his ultimate revenge. But when the woman he never believed he’d see again crosses his path, Sloane is caught between the vengeance he needs and a sexual conquest he craves.

Kat Thayne has been in survival mode for six years, hiding behind the sweet creations for her bakery. But when a random carjacking brings her face-to-face with her darkest fears and hottest fantasy, Kat is forced out of hiding and offered a dangerously passionate proposition. One she knows she isn’t strong enough to refuse.

Book Trailer 

 Book Two: POSSESSION – Coming 5/28/13

Book Three: OBSESSION – Coming 9/24/13

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Lyon grew up under the shadow of the Matterhorn at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. She attended Walt Disney elementary school and her very first playmate was her beloved dog, Duke, who was cast in the role of hero in all their adventures.

Clearly Jen was born to daydream. But it took her years to figure out how to turn her imagination into a career as an author. After marrying and becoming a full time mom to three sons, Jen launched her career with the award winning Samantha Shaw Mystery Series and other romantic mysteries under the name Jennifer Apodaca. Later, she took the name Jennifer Lyon, combined her love of witches, alpha males and sizzling romance into another award winning series, the Wing Slayer Hunters.

Jennifer has several new releases coming out this year.  THE PROPOSITION, the first book in her new Plus One Chronicles was just released on February 24 and following later in the year will be Book Two: POSSESSION – Coming 5/28/13 and Book Three: OBSESSION – Coming 9/24/13.

Writing under Jennifer Apodaca she will be releasing the first book in her Once A Marine series, titled THE BABY BARGAIN which will be out in March 2013 from Entangled Publishing in their Indulgence line.

For more information on Jen or her books, please visit her website www.jenniferlyonbooks.com

 

Want a chance to win a copy of  THE PROPOSITION?

Leave a comment of question for Jennifer.   Please leave your email address (no email, no entry)

giveaway ends 3/8

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GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Jennifer is also giving away a $50.00 Gift Card to Amazon and an eBook of THE PROPOSITION

to ONE lucky winner who follows the tour.

 THREE runners-up will receive an eBook of THE PROPOSITION.

 TO ENTER:

 Fill out the Rafflecopter form, complete the tasks and mark as “Done”.

The more tasks you complete, the more points you get, and the better your chance of winning!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

THE PROPOSITION

Blog Tour Schedule

02/26 – Book Monster Reviews / Literal Addiction

02/27 – Ramblings From This Chick

02/28 – Pimpin’ Reads

03/01 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

03/02 – Books-n-Kisses

03/03 – Night Owl Reviews

03/03 – My Secret Romance

03/04 – United by Books

03/05 – Cocktails and Books

03/06 – The Reading Café

03/07 – Under the Covers

03/08 – Romance Junkies

03/09 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My!

03/10 – Over the Edge

03/11 – Paranormal Haven

The Arcane Series by Jayne Ann Krentz

Second Sight

The Arcane Society #1

Financially straitened and on the path to spinsterhood, Venetia Milton thought her stay at the remote, ramshackle Arcane House would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engineer her own ravishment. She was there to photograph the artifacts collected by a highly secretive organization, founded two centuries earlier by an alchemist. And the alchemist’s descendant-her employer, Gabriel Jones-has the eyes of a sorcerer.

But despite Venetia’s intent to seduce Mr. Jones and move on, she is shattered upon her return home to read in the press of his violent demise. Using the sizable fee Mr. Jones paid her, Venetia establishes a new life, opening a gallery in London. Of course, posing as a respectable widow makes it easier to do business, so-in a private tribute to her lost, only lover-she assumes the identity of “Mrs. Jones.”

Her romantic whim, however, will cause unexpected trouble. For one thing, Mr. Jones is about to stride, living and breathing, back into Venetia’s life. And the two share more than a passionate memory-indeed, they are bonded by a highly unusual sort of vision, one that goes far beyond Venetia’s abilities as a photographer. They also share a terrible threat-for someone has stolen a centuries-old notebook from Arcane House that contains a formula believed to enhance psychic powers of the kind Gabriel and Venetia possess. And the thief wants to know more-even if he must kill the keeper of the Arcane Society’s treasures, or the photographer who catalogued them, to obtain such knowledge.

*****

White Lies

The Arcane Society #2

Relationships are challenging enough for most single over-thirty women. For level ten parasensitive Clare Lancaster, they’re a minefield. The elite few who know her secret call her a human lie detector, and any falsehood, no matter how subtle or well hidden, sets her blood racing. Over the years, Clare has come to accept that someone with her extraordinary talents is unlikely to find a suitable mate. And she’s even resigned herself to the fact that everyone, to one degree or another, hides behind a facade.

Including her recently deceased brother-in-law. When Clare finds the body of Brad McAllister, the golden child of Stone Canyon, Arizona, the posh residents turn a suspicious eye in her direction. As Archer Glazebrook’s daughter, Clare is shielded from the law, but not the gossip. It seems that meeting the half sister and family whom she did not know until seven months ago was a mistake. Now her father summons her from California to play a role in his business empire, and Clare doesn’t intend on making the same mistake twice. But after meeting Jake Salter, Archer’s “business consultant,” she is convinced that things aren’t what they seem. Salter’s careful conversation walks a delicate line between truth and deception, revealing and resisting. Something sparks and sizzles between them – something more than the usual electricity between a man and a woman.

Caught in a dizzying storm of secrets, lies, and half-truths, Jake and Clare will plunge into an investigation that demands every bit of their special gifts. Together, they must overcome their mutual distrust in order to unravel a web of conspiracy and murder.

*****

Sizzle and Burn

The Arcane Society #3

Raine Tallentyre, recently dumped, knows her gifted Aunt Vella was right – she should always keep her paranormal abilities a secret. And now that Vella, her last relative, has died, Raine’s resigned herself to a lonely life. Then, while clearing out Vella’s house, Raine’s sensitivity leads her to a horrifying discovery: a young woman, bound and terrified, in the basement. The victim has survived, but the culprit is on the loose. Suddenly, a new man enters Raine’s life: psychic investigator Zack Jones. But there’s one complication – Zack’s working for a secret organisation that shattered Raine’s family. She’s wary of his motives, but as a killer makes her his target, and a group of psychic criminals operating in the shadows surrounds them, Raine and Zack must rely not only on their powerful abilities, but on each other.

*****

The Third Circle

The Arcane Society #4

Called supremely addictive by Booklist, the Arcane Society novels, written under both the Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz names, have pulled readers into a saga filled with steamy romance, drama, and dark intrigue. Her newest novel promises to mesmerize as well.

Leona Hewitt, disguised in mens formal evening clothes, has secretly made her way into Lord Delbridges private museum to retrieve a relic stolen from her family. But someone else is in the dimly lit gallery on the same errand: a tall, blackcloaked man whose very voice is enough to cause her to fall into a trance.

Thaddeus Ware, a mesmerist with psychic gifts, is accustomed to fearful reactions from others women, in particular. After all, a man who can control the minds of others could rob a lady of her virtue completely unbeknownst to her. But Leona shows no trace of hysteria in his presence. A gifted crystal worker, she exerts a rather hypnotic power over the hypnotist himself. And she is determined to keep the coveted crystal they manage to recover by giving him the slip at a run-down London inn.

Thaddeus, on assignment for the Arcane Society, knows the menace Leona is courting by absconding with the crystal. A source of remarkable energy, it holds the potential for great destruction. Lord Delbridge has already killed to acquire the crystal, his key to membership in the elite, shadowy group known as the Third Circle. And, with the help of a ruthless hunter of preternatural skill dubbed the Midnight Monster by the press Delbridge intends to find Leona. With the stolen crystal in their possession, the danger is only beginning.

*****

Running Hot

The Arcane Society #5

Ex-cop Luther Malone, lifelong member of the secretive paranormal organization known as the Arcane Society, is waiting to meet Grace Renquist. Hired as an aura-reading consultant in the quest for a murder suspect, she”s got zero field experience. She’s from tiny Eclipse Bay, Oregon. She’s a librarian, for heaven”s sake.

As for Grace, she’s not expecting much either from Malone, who walks with a cane and isn’t so good with a gun. Nice résumé for a bodyguard . . .

But even before they reach their hotel in Maui where they’ll be posing as honeymooners Grace and Luther feel the electric charge between them. Problem is, they need to remain vigilant day and night, because it soon becomes clear there’s more going on here. Rogue sensitives operatives for the underground group Nightshade are pouring into the luxury resort like there’s a convention. Grace recognizes those dark spikes in their auras. She saw the same pattern in someone else in another life a life she hasn’t revealed to Luther or anyone else. And she understands how dangerous these people can be . . . especially with those para-hunters at their sides.

While the pair’s employers at Jones & Jones scramble to get them backup, Luther and Grace have to think on their feet. The criminals in their midst aren’t just high-level sensitives: They’ve enhanced their talents with a potent and unpredictable drug. And as Grace knows all too well, if you don’t control your powers, your powers will control you.

*****

The Perfect Poison

The Arcane Society #6

Plagued by rumors that she poisoned her fianc?, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants ? and occasionally consulting on a murder investigation. For the notorious botanist possesses a unique talent: she can detect almost any type of poison, especially ones that have their origins in the botanical kingdom. But the death of a lord has shaken Lucinda to her core. At the murder scene, she picks up traces of a poison containing a very rare species of fern. So rare, in fact, that only one specimen exists in all of England ? and it was stolen from her conservatory just last month. To keep her name out of the investigation and to find the murderer, Lucinda hires a fellow Arcane Society member. Caleb Jones runs a psychical investigation agency. A descendant of the founder of the Society, he is very good at protecting its secrets ? and frighteningly good getting at the truth. Immediately, Lucinda senses both a raw power and undeniable intensity in the imposing man. But as a nearly overwhelming desire blooms between Caleb and Lucinda, they are drawn into the dark heart of a deadly conspiracy that can be traced to the early days of the Arcane Society ? and to a legacy of madness that could plunge Caleb into the depths of his own tortured soul?(

*****

Fired Up

Dreamlight Trilogy #1/The Arcane Society #7

The New York Times?bestselling author presents her latest Arcane Society novel and introduces the first book in the Dreamlight Trilogy?the story of a curse that spans generations, and the love that can heal it. . . .

More than three centuries ago, Nicholas Winters irrevocably altered his genetic makeup in an obsessionfueled competition with alchemist and Arcane Society founder Sylvester Jones. Driven to control their psychic abilities, each man?s decision has reverberated throughout the family line, rewarding some with powers beyond their wildest dreams, and cursing others to a life filled with madness and hallucinations.

Jack Winters, descendant of Nicholas, has been experiencing nightmares and blackouts?just the beginning, he believes?of the manifestation of the Winters family curse. The legend says that he must find the Burning Lamp or risk turning into a monster. But he can?t do it alone; he needs the help of a woman with the gift to read the lamp?s dreamlight.

Jack is convinced that private investigator Chloe Harper is that woman. Her talents for finding objects and accessing dream energy are what will save him, but their sudden and powerful sexual pull threatens to overwhelm them both. Danger surrounds them, and it doesn?t take long for Chloe to pick up the trail of the missing lamp. And as they draw closer to the lamp, the raw power that dwells within it threatens to sweep them into a hurricane of psychic force.

*****

Burning Lamp

Dreamlight Trilogy #2The Arcane Society #8

The Arcane Society was born in turmoil when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Sylvester Jones and Nicholas Winters each sought to enhance their individual psychic talents. Winters’ efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation the Winters man who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents – and the curse of madness.

Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the Winters Curse. And the instincts that have helped him survive the streets and rise to power are now drawing him toward Adelaide Pyne, the bothersome social reformer. But even as he arranges a meeting with the mysterious woman, he has no idea how closely their fates are bound, for Adelaide holds the Burning Lamp in her possession.

A dreamlight reader, Adelaide should be able to manipulate the Lamp’s light to save both Griffin’s sanity and his life. But their dangerous psychical experiment makes them the target of forces both inside and outside of the Arcane Society. And though desire strengthens their power their different lives will keep them apart – if death doesn’t take them together

*****

Midnight Crystal

Dreamlight Trilogy #3Harmony #7/The Arcane Society #9

It began with Krentz…continued with Quick…and now it will end with Castle.

Book Three of the Dreamlight trilogy. 

For many earthly centuries, a legendary curse has plagued the Winters family, stemming from the tumultuous founding of the Arcane Society. But now, on the futuristic world of Harmony, the curse’s final mystery will be unraveled…

Head of the ghost hunters guild Adam Winters and dreamlight reader extraordinaire Marlowe Jones must break the curse, save Harmony’s entire underworld-and fight a passion that could destroy them both.

*****

The Scargill Cove Case Files

Looking Glass Trilogy 0.5/The Arcane Society #9.5

Chilling paranormal suspense in a small California town—by the New York Times bestselling author of the Arcane Society novels!As the director at Jones & Jones, a psychical investigation agency, Fallon Jones solves crimes of a different nature. Jones’s latest case involves a body found in the basement vault of a local bookstore, and scratchings on the inside of the door that seem to be a coded message, in this novella by Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of In Too Deep and the Arcane Society novels.

*****

In Too Deep

Looking Glass Trilogy #1The Arcane Society #10

When Fallon Jones took over the family business, he moved Jones & Jones headquarters to Scargill Cove, a secluded coastal town in Northern California. The Cove suits him just fine, as a confirmed recluse . . . and as an investigator of the paranormal. The Cove is a hot spot, a convergence point for unusually strong currents of energy, which might explain why the town draws misfits and drifters like moths to a flame.

Isabella Valdez is used to changing apartments, jobs, even names and Social Security numbers at the drop of a hat — but this is too much. She’s been framed by some very dangerous men. They may be behind the disappearance of her grandmother. And now they’ve sent their thugs after Isabella. She would be dead if her gift of intuition hadn’t told her to run.

So she’s fled to California — and found employment with Fallon Jones. It’s been only a few days, but Fallon doesn’t remember life before his new assistant. Isabella’s already organized his pathologically chaotic office, and she doesn’t bat an eye at the psychic aspect of his job. She’s a kindred spirit, sanctuary from a world that considers his talents a form of madness. The surest sign that he’s falling for her? He doesn’t even mind her cheery personality.

But after a routine case unearths an antique clock infused with dark energy, Fallon and Isabella are dragged into the secret history of Scargill Cove. Next thing they know, they’re fighting for their lives in an abandoned underground lab — not exactly an ideal first date. Now their lives depend on the combined strength of their powers as they unravel a cutthroat conspiracy with roots in the Jones family business . . . and Isabella’s family tree.

*****

Quicksilver

Looking Glass Trilogy #2

Virginia Dean wakes at midnight beside a dead body, with a bloody knife in her hand and no memory of the evening’s events. Dark energy, emanating from the mirrors lining the room, overpowers her senses. With no apparent way in or out, she’s rescued by a man she’s met only once before, but won’t soon forget. . . . Owen Sweetwater inherited his family’s talent for hunting the psychical monsters who prey on London’s women and children, and his investigation into the deaths of two glass-readers has led him here. The high-society types of the exclusive Arcane Society would consider Virginia an illusionist, a charlatan, even a criminal. But Owen knows better. Virginia’s powers are real ? and so is the power she exerts over him simply with her presence. And if her abilities can be relied upon in the midst of great danger, they just might be the key to his investigation.

*****

Canyons of Night

Looking Glass Trilogy #3/The Arcane Society #12Harmony #8/Rainshadow #1

Charlotte Enright, owner of a small antiques shop called Looking Glass Antiques on Rainshadow Island, and Slade Attridge, the community’s new chief of police, both have something in common: they possess strong paranormal talents.

They met several years ago when they were in their teens spending the summer on the island. Slade saved Charlotte from a gang of drunken toughs, but then at the end of the summer Slade and Charlotte went their separate ways and started their adult lives.

Now, fifteen years later, they have both been drawn back to Rainshadow Island. They will discover the adult passion they have for each other and start to explore some of the mysteries of the forbidden section of the island known only as the Preserve.